Biodegradable disposable container, a process for its manufacture and a process for recovering and re-using its components

ABSTRACT

Biodegradable disposable container, of the type comprised by a plurality of layers, by comprising an inner layer formed in a lacquer, an intermediate layer formed in a gelatin and an outer layer formed in a lacquer. Preferably, said lacquer constituting the inner and outer layers is a marine lacquer. Preferably, said gelatin constituting the intermediate layer is a hardened animal gelatin.

Priority is claimed of Argentina application no. P-03-01-03702, filed Oct. 10, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention relates to a biodegradable disposable container, a process for its manufacture and a process for recovering and re-using its components.

PRIOR ART

Upon replacement of glass for plastics, and due to the several advantages of containers made of plastics, empty disposable container began to accumulate and they very soon became a serious ecological inconvenience.

The possibility of recycling plastics is a way of controlling, in some extent, the mentioned disadvantage but this has not solved the inconvenience of disposable containers discarded by people in unsuitable places.

It is usual to find discarded plastic containers floating in any water stream or between plants in the field and parks.

These containers contaminate the environment and animals, damage the ecosystem and affect some of the machines contacting such wastes.

Even considering that this circumstance is a purely cultural problem which may be solved by education, it would be useful that the containers apart from being disposable be also biodegradable.

Therefore, the object of the invention is a container which, being made of biodegradable material, may be disposed without environmental consequences.

A further object of the invention is providing a process for manufacturing a container from biodegradable materials.

Another object of the invention is providing a process for recovering the materials from which the container is made.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The single FIGURE of the drawings shows a schematic view of a bottle the surface of which is interrupted by a cut. Said cut, in the enlarged detail, shows the different layers comprising the container wall.

REFERENCES

In the figure, reference numeral 1 designates an inner layer; reference 2 designates a film; reference 3 designates a medium layer and reference 4 an outer layer.

DESCRIPTION

Basically, the instant invention relates to a container made of a gelatin layer provided between to lacquer layers.

Further, the instant invention refers to a process for obtaining the container thus formed, and to a process for the recovery of the various materials used.

In order to obtain a biodegradable disposable container

-   -   the advantages afforded by P.E.T. and glass containers were         analyzed, concluding in that both materials are interesting in         some aspects.

The advantage of re-using glass containers as well as the pure image, is contrary with the disadvantages deriving from the higher weight and required care.

On the other hand, the cost of most glass containers results in an overprice which in turn causes that consumers return the empty container when buying a new one. Further, consumers not always wish to carry empty glass containers.

Therefore, it has been concluded that the use of plastic containers, increasing permanently, will not be reverted in the near future and, as an attempt to employ the advantages of both type of containers, a new container has been designed comprising an inner layer 1 made of a lacquer on which, alternatively, a film 2 of a material suitable for contacting the contents of the container is provided.

Said film 2 coats the inner face of said inner layer 1 and its features vary according to the product to be packed in order to comply with present regulations.

The instant invention was developed taking into account that the higher pollution is produced by the great amount of disposable containers disposed, originally designed for containing food products and, among them, specially beverages; therefore said inner layer 1, or, alternatively, said film 2 should be capable of being in contact with such food products, complying with the regulations.

However the use is not restrictive, since considering variations in the physical/chemical composition of said film 2, the container may be capable of allowing packing of other products such as solvents, fuels, paints, acids, etc.

The outer face of said inner layer 1 is in contact with the inner face of an intermediate layer 3 the outer face of which is firmly joined to the inner face of the outer layer 4, this layer constituting the container boundary and that, therefore, may incorporate a special treatment suitable for preserving the properties of the product contained therein.

In the case of the instant invention and in order to obtain a container for a food product, it is established that the material constituting the inner layer (1) as well as that of the outer layer 4 is lacquer, and preferably marine lacquer.

On the other hand, the intermediate layer 3 is comprised by a gelatin, preferably a hardened animal gelatin.

Once the container is disposed at any place, the weather and the animals will progressively degrade the outer layer 4 until the intermediate layer 3 is contacted, the latter will dissolve by the mere contact with the environmental humidity thus leaving the inner layer 1 in contact with natural environment and animals which, acting thereon, proceed to its degradation.

In case of cracking or breaking of the container, degradation process will be substantially accelerated since all layers will be in contact with the environment.

When we refer to “animals” it means that the materials comprising the container are nutritional and therefore are subject to attack by bacteria, microorganisms, insects and mammals.

An additional advantage of the invention is that in case of container breakage, although the pieces may cause wounds as is the case with glass or plastics, the action of the environment makes them become soft in the short term and, therefore, they are not injurious.

The use of the components of the instant invention for making containers requires a process comprised by a first step of die preparation for forming the container from a hardened animal gelatin layer and a second step comprising immersing the shaped container into a lacquer for obtaining complete coating of the gelatin layer.

Alternatively, the above-mentioned process has a third step of application of an inner film, in contact with the inner container layer, having features suitable for being in contact with the product to be packed.

In an alternative embodiment, the process comprises a fourth step of treating the outer surface of the outer layer with an element protecting the contents of the container.

The instant invention also relates to the process for recovering and re-utilizing the container components, comprised by a first step wherein said container is broken; a second step wherein the container pieces are placed into an electrolysis and heating pool at a temperature of 60-70° C.; a third step wherein sulphuric acid is added and electric power is applied and a fourth step comprising separation and recovery of the components through density difference.

In practice, the first step may incorporate mechanical elements such a mill for breaking the containers, and said mill may be powered by an endless belt.

The invention has been described in connection with one embodiment thereof and many alternatives and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the foregoing description, its scope being only limited by the annexed claims. 

1. Biodegradable disposable container, of the type comprised by a plurality of layers, characterized by comprising an inner layer formed in a lacquer, an intermediate layer formed in a gelatin and an outer layer comprised by a lacquer; the lacquer constituting said inner and outer layers is a marine lacquer the gelatin constituting said intermediate layer in a hardened animal gelatin.
 2. Container as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that on the inner face of the inner layer a film of suitable material is provided to contact the contents of the container.
 3. A container as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the outer layer incorporates a suitable treatment for preserving the properties of the product contained.
 4. Process for manufacturing the container of claim 1, characterized by the steps of: 1) preparing the die for shaping the container from a layer of hardened animal gelatin layer; and 2) immersing the container thus formed into a lacquer for obtaining total coating of said gelatin layer.
 5. Process as claimed in claim 4, characterized by further comprising the step of: 3) applying an inner film in contact with the inner container layer, having features suitable for being in contact with the product to be packed.
 6. Process as claimed in claim 4, characterized by comprising the step of: 4) treating the outer surface of the outer layer with an element suitable for preserving the properties of the content.
 7. Process for recovering and re-utilizing the components of the container of claim 1, obtained through the process of claim 4, characterized by the steps of: 1) breaking said container; 2) placing the container pieces into an electrolysis and heating pool at a temperature of 60-70° C.; 3) adding sulphuric acid and applying electric power; and 4) separating and recovering components through density difference.
 8. Process as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that in the first step breakage of the containers is carried out by a mechanical means such as a mill powered by an endless belt. 